3-sciences-articles

3 Sciences: Hands On, Minds On, Hearts On!

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:06:49 +0100

A Biblical Framework for Teaching Science

“Seeing the Unseen through the Seen”

“For the attributes of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, (even) His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

“Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.”

Job 37:14

“Hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on”

Science Education

“Nature study should be approached with reverence. . . . Every experience with the natural world reveals God.”

Charlotte Mason

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”

Job 12:7-10

“Hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on”

Science Education

Part I. A Biblical Pattern for Educating Students as Presented in Scripture

An “old” but Biblical pattern for educating students and training them so that in time they will be able to educate themselves is the Christ-centered Classical form of education. This is not to be confused with the Classical of the golden ages of Greece and Roman periods of history or with Aristotelian Thomism. These forms inculcate some “Christian” truths in their philosophies but this does not make them Christian.[1]

Following is a description of a Christ-centered Classical form of education as described by CEED.[2]

Classical Style depends on a three-part process of training the mind called the Trivium. “Trivium” is a Latin term meaning “where three roads meet.” The three roads correspond to three phases of learning: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. These are new labels for the Biblical concepts of: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. All learning will involve these three steps:

(1) accumulating the facts (grammar or knowledge phase),

(2) comprehending the relationships between these facts (dialectic or understanding phase), and

(3) effectively applying and expressing what we know and understand (rhetoric or wisdom phase). The Bible clearly distinguishes these three types of learning while also revealing their interdependency.

Are these three concepts of learning - knowledge, understanding, and wisdom - clearly distinguished in the Bible? Does the Trivium faithfully correspond to them?

This is the pattern of learning that Solomon exhorted his son to follow. In equating the “tools of learning” as being the same as getting knowledge, understanding, and wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-6), in these six verses we discover that “knowledge” is used three times, “understanding” four times, and “wisdom” twice. The word “her” which is a personification for “wisdom,” occurs twice (“the Hebrew word for wisdom is in the feminine gender”[3]. Thus “wisdom” is actually used four times.

These three words agree with the “labels” of the Trivium. As stated by Robert Booth:[4]

"The use of classical terminology (e.g., the "trivium," "grammar," "dialectic" and "rhetoric") is useful, provided we comprehend that the substance of this model is rooted in Scripture. It is only in the context of the fear of God that genuine knowledge, understanding and wisdom can be attained. All other efforts, in the end, prove to be folly. Tota et sola Scriptura. Our final allegiance is to all of Scripture, and only Scripture.”

Christian students must be taught to acknowledge that in all three stages of the Trivium that the “full assurance of understanding” of their studies really comes from “Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3). Therefore teachers, parents, and students must not forget to make their education Christ-centered. God has made him (Christ) to become unto us Wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30). All facts are God created facts and derive their existence from Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16) and are for His glory (Revelation 4:11).

It is possible to get knowledge, understanding, and wisdom (earthly) and leave out Christ. This can result in Gnosticism. Gnostics believe that salvation is not by faith, but through the acquisition of knowledge alone.

In science as well as in every discipline students must be first taught knowledge. When they understand its purpose and meaning, they can then wisely apply it. As Dr. Henry Morris states: [5]

Knowledge of the true world God created and wisdom in the comprehension (i.e., understanding – editorial comment) and application of that knowledge must comprise the goals of true education.

Dr. Henry Morris also said:[6]

“ . . . Whatever the course of study, everything must be first taught in the framework of God’s perfect creation, the universal effects of sin and the curse, and the saving work of Christ.”

Cornelius Van Til[7] would agree with this yet from another perspective, for he says:

“There is perhaps no concept underlying our system of education better fitted to bring out the distinctive character of Christian education that the concept of creation. Of course, it is not as though our concept of creation is the most basic concept of our system of education; the most basis concept of all is our concept of God. But our notion of creation affords a more readily available testing point than the notion of God. Creation has more directly to do with ourselves. It has to do with the universe that is visible. And as such it offers a ready target of attack for the enemy. The attacks on creation have been more direct and more self-conscious that the attacks on God.”

I believe a very useful way to look at the three factors of the Trivium (and of Proverbs 2:2-6), is to call them, “The Lost Tools of Learning,” a term coined by Dorothy Sayers[8] Whereas historically the Trivium was the form and structure for Classical education, it normally only proscribed certain subjects. Solomon however exhorted his son to use these “tools of learning” in every area of life. For example, when teaching a subject, is the emphasis of the teacher at any particular point focused on knowledge, understanding, or wisdom, or their combination? Stated in another way, are the students thinking at the knowledge, understanding, or wisdom stage? Being conscious of the level they are at, the students and teacher can plan what to study and how, and then set goals within the context of these learning tools. Use of these tools will train the mind to become adept at thinking wisely, an art that has been greatly neglected in our culture today. As Dimnet said:[9]

Education is nothing if it is not the methodical creation of the habit of thinking.

Dorothy Sayers in essence supports this thought by saying:[10] [

“For the sole end of education is simply this: to teach men how to learn for themselves; and whatever instruction fails to do this is effort spent in vain.”

And what does Dorothy Sayers recommend that will show men how to learn for themselves (which agrees with King David’s instructions in Proverbs 2:1-6?). Give them the tools of learning for training their minds so that they will be equipped to educate themselves. A side benefit of this type of training is that it will help students in “redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16). Dorothy Sayers comments.[11]

I am concerned only with the proper training of the mind. . . . For the tools or learning are the same, in any and every subject; and the person who knows how to use them will, at any age, get the mastery of a new subject in half the time and with a quarter of the effort expended by the person who has not these tools at his command. To learn six subjects without remembering how they were learned does nothing to ease the approach to a seventh; to have learned and remembered the art of learning makes the approach to every subject an open door.

With “Tools of Learning” preparation, each student should be equipped for life knowing how to study and think. Assuming that the word of God will control the interpretation of their knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, in time they should know:

What they believe and why they believe it, and what they don’t believe and why they don’t believe it.

Since individuals “will not live by faith unless they are convinced that what they believe in is true,”[12] it is very important that they understand what they believe and don’t believe.

This is providing a sound education for students. Students will be thus equipped to “Subdue the earth and have dominion” under God (Genesis 1:26, 28). They will be noble Bereans (Acts 17:11). In fact when students begin to grasp the concept that you are teaching them primarily “how to think properly” they will be more eager to do class work and projects that are assigned. Their purpose for learning is not to just gain information to pass tests, but to become those who can pass the AUG test (Approved Unto God)], an acronym coined by Del Fehsenfeld]:[13]

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

Fred Willson 2009

[1] CEED, 2003, Calvary Chapel Homeschool Fellowship, Merritt Island, Florida. CalvaryChapelCEED@hotmail.com p. 21-22

[2] CEED.

[3] Wiersbe, W. W., 1995. Be Skillful, Victor Books: Wheaton, Ill., p. 17.

[4] CEED.

[5] Morris, Dr. Henry, 1977, Christian Education for the Real World, Master Books.

[6] Morris.

[7] Berkhof, Louis and Cornelius Van Til, 1990, Foundations of Christian Education, Presbytarian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, New Jersey. P. 43.

[8] Wilson, Douglas, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL. 1991

[9] Dimnet, 1955, The Art of Thinking. Fawcett Publications Inc. New York

[10] Wilson, p. 164.

[11] Wilson. p. 162.

[12] Charles Clough, www.BiblicalFrameworkMinistries.org.

[13] Fehsenfeld, Del, 1995, How to Conquer the Fear of Man,” Institute in Life Principles, cassette message

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C. Hebrews 5:12-14.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age [mature], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14:

According to this passage what are mature students?

“They are able to discern between good and evil” [milk won’t do it].

How is this attribute of maturity produced? They must have their (v.14):

“senses” “the faculty of perception . . . the capacities of spiritual apprehension” [28, 11];

The faculties whereby we perceive, understand, and distinguish through the senses the nature of things, whether they are physical, mental, or moral. This also includes hands-on activities.

“exercised.” gymnazo; . . . to exercise, to train the body or mind; of the senses, so as to discern good and evil. (English: “gymnastic”) [28, 11]

Teachers and parents are to keep their children in the “gymnasium” - of thinking. This requires training all of the senses that God has provided so that the children are able to discern between good and evil. Through making students “gymnasticize” in their minds, maturity is developed. Therefore providing events and teaching materials that help parents keep the children in the “gymnasium of thinking” is necessary. This is what is required in helping them in becoming a mature generation that exhibits strong faith. As much as possible, then, since all of the senses should be exercised, teaching methods, materials, and events should be “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on” related. For this paper I have defined these terms as follows:

“Hands-on” in contact not only through the hands but through all the senses, normally considered in physical situations;

“Minds-on” to consciously choose to think logically; also perceive as “real” - pictorially or analogically - truths in the mind, called, by Dorothy Sayers, [ ] “picture-thinking;”

“Hearts-on” thinking God’s thoughts after him; seeing all things in relationship to God and His Word; seeing with Biblical discernment.

IV. How should parents and teachers begin or improve the process of developing the “tools of learning” along with “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on” science?

Maurice Willson, in an excellent book written in 1860, describes a very good approach: [31, p. 319].

“I would place before them an abundance of the materials of knowledge; and as ideas are recollected perceptions, we may expect, other things being equal, to find the most ideas in those who have had the most thorough education of the senses. . . . ‘Nature’ . . . does not teach us the whole of one science before she imports some knowledge of another. She has given us five senses, and it is our duty so to educate them that they may be faithful and ‘swift-winged messengers’ to convey to the mind perceptions of the surrounding world. The more of these well-assorted mental stores are garnered up in the chambers of thought, ready to respond to the call of memory, the greater the amount of material that the mental powers will have to work upon. . . . Like the honeybee, they [are] led to pass from flower to flower in Nature’s boundless parterres [flower-gardens], and gather sweets from all of them. . . . [E]very system of education should be based upon a thorough discipline of the mental powers.”

Most of this quote applies to the “knowledge” gathering phase of the Trivium and is “hands-on, minds on,” but does not address the “hearts-on” issue.

V. When should this kind of education begin?

Maurice Willson [31, p. 318] advises that:

“ . . . [I]t is of great importance to you in early life to cultivate such an inquiring state of mind as will not only incline you to notice everything around you, but also to examine into the causes of things. By so doing you will find matters of interest in the most common things of life, and everything will preach to you philosophy.”

By cultivating an inquiring state of mind (minds-on) in early life about everything in nature (hands-on), and seeking to determine their causes and purposes (minds on), and letting them preach to you a philosophy (hearts-on), the Tools of Learning are being polished. During this searching phase questions will be asked for the purpose of understanding what is being observed. In time this will produce wisdom. Having wisdom the student can now effectively apply what they have learned, resulting in an increased dominion over some area of nature, culture, even self, etc, hopefully to the glory of God. Stated in another way critical thinking skills are being developed.

VI. How can an inquiring state of mind be cultivated and the senses be exercised so that all parts of the Trivium are stimulated in “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on” science?

Following is a pattern that will produce this kind of educational experience. During any experiment or observation, students should be trained to:

1. First See what they are looking at. And how do you get them to “see?” Have them: (#2)

2. Name what they see and determine its purpose as an object, name its various parts, describe the properties of each part, and their purpose;

3. Describe any interactions - their effects and causes;

4. Ask questions about what they are observing;

5. Form hypotheses about answers to their questions;

6. Do research to discover the validity of their hypotheses or answers to their questions;

7. Give their answer(s) in writing or verbally;

8. Discuss in writing or verbally its relationship to God’s attributes, nature, mankind, and to His word.

Going through these eight steps will require that the student be mentally active and be making use of all their senses. As they become familiar with doing these steps they will be learning how to learn for themselves. Such an approach will enhance every part of the “Trivium” and teach the children to think and learn for themselves.

Why cultivate inquiring states of mind and teaching children how to think and learn for themselves? As Ferguson and Allen state [12, p. 187-188]:

"The first great object in any system of education, pubic or private... is the training of all the faculties in the right direction. . . . Thetrained and disciplined intellect . . . is the scepter that gives us dominion over nature; the key that unlocks the storehouse of creation, and opens to us the treasures of the universe:"

Such a mind will also be able to capably “contend for the faith.” (Jude 3). Our children need to have the following view of their minds as described by Arthur Custance [8, p. 195]:

“View [their] your mind as a highly sophisticated tool to be trained, as a highly skilled surgeon trains his hands for surgery, to be used for discerning between good and evil, and as a tool that God can use, as He did with Moses, Ezra, and the Apostle Paul. These three men, each educated in the best traditions of their age in recognized centers of learning, were God’s chosen vessels through which He used to share His thoughts with mankind (Moses: The Pentateuch; Ezra: Closed the Canon of the OT, overseeing the writing of it in Aramaic script; Paul: Thirteen books of the NT. . . . God sought a tool that He could use, an intellectual weapon through which to communicate His will to mankind.”

It is trained minds that God uses to wisely “subdue the earth and have dominion over it” (Genesis 1:28). This creation mandate is not meant only for science but should dominate one’s thinking in every discipline.

This is one of the great purposes for not only studying science but should be in every discipline.

Pastors, parents, and teachers should study materials and attend workshops that will help them develop the “Tools of Learning” that will develop inquiring states of thinking. This approach coupled with a young earth Christian worldview will be of great benefit in helping parents and teachers (and churches) in fulfilling God’s plan for their children as described in Psalm 78. This approach will also be a benefit to themselves and anyone they teach.

VII. Examples in scripture of Psalm 78 “children,” Malachi 2:15 “offspring,” and Hebrews 5:14 “mature believers.”

In these examples I am assuming three things about the following individuals:

They had:

been raised according to the teaching principles of Psalm 78, Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and 11:18-20;
been trained according to the Trivium of Proverbs 2:2-4,6, and therefore “understood the fear of the Lord and found the knowledge of God” (v. 5);
a large amount of “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on” training through all of their senses, and were therefore able to discern between good and evil and make wise choices (Hebrew 5:14).

Example 1. Daniel and his three friends.

“And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” Daniel 1: 3-4.

Please notice the abilities of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

skillful in all wisdom,

cunning in knowledge,

understanding science,

had ability in them to stand in the king's palace,

and in whom they might teach [were teachable] the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”

By reeducating these four men according to another worldview, Nebuchadnezzar was grooming them for future leadership according to the standards of his pagan empire.

His goal was to make these good Jewish boys into good pagan boys, who could be trusted and controlled in their service for him. This same pattern is going on today in our public schools and universities, especially in the academically talented classes.

These four young men, probably in their early teens, were examples of youth who had

Their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).

Let us look at how Daniel’s “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on” training and “knowledge, understanding, and wisdom” worked for him (and we can assume also for his three friends) in the pagan court of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel could have made an issue of being renamed after a pagan God (from “God is my judge” to “Belteshazzar” ‘Favored of Bel’), [22, p. 907] but he didn’t. That would have been a spiritually perceived issue, one that would be harder to defend in the pagan court of the king. He chose an issue that had a much greater chance of success, a display of wisdom.

“Hearts-on”

Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.

“Minds-on” and “hands-on”

“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.”

Daniel: Skillful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, understanding science [nutrition in this example].

“And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.”

Understanding science (hands-on) won a spiritual issue (hearts-on).

After their three years of training in the pagan court, what was the result?

“And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”

Reason for their success? Products of Psalm 78, Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:18-20, Proverbs 2:2-6, and Hebrews 5:14. Their parents had obviously instilled these principles into the minds and hearts while they were young.

Who trained their parents?

According to Jewish history the parents would normally follow the principles of teaching as stated in Deut. 6:6-9; 11:18-20; and Psalm 78:5,6. The parent’s teachers were commonly the Levites who were supported by the tithe. During their religious festivals a great amount of religious instruction was given. As soon as a child could speak their education began with being taught about God and His ways. [The sad story is that the Jews soon quit observing the Sabbath. When this occurred, they soon forget who their creator was, and when a people forget who their creator is, then all of His laws are also forgotten. This would also include the standards for raising their children. According to Benson (1, pp. 21, 24-25, 27-29]:

Attributes of God-'Short List'

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:55:42 +0100

A one-page list of God’s attributes for you to memorize. It closely follows the pattern of “Attributes of God.”

Attributes/Essence of God

INCOMPREHENSIBLE

Man, being finite, will never be able to fully comprehend and understand God's ways

or thoughts. Job 37:5,23; Isaiah 55:8,9; Romans 11:33; Deut. 29:29; Job 38- 40.

SOVEREIGN

God personally wills the kind of history and creation that comes to pass; chance is

excluded, for He is the ultimate cause of all things. His absolute authority is the formal

object of our obedience. Rev. 4:11; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 46:9-11; Romans 11:34-36;

Psalm 47:7.

HOLY

Perfectly pure; immaculate, moral character; separated to the service of God.

Ex. 15:11 & Jer. 2:3; Heb. 7:26; Proverbs 9:10; Habakkuk 1:12,13.

RIGHTEOUS

His moral character is the standard in all the cosmos for what is right and wrong.

Exodus 9:27; Jeremiah 9:24, 12:1; Deut. 32:4; Revelation 16:5-7.

JUST

This refers to His uncompromising attitude of judgment upon evil, regardless of who

might be involved. Gen. 18:25; Romans 2:11; Rev. 16:5-7.

GOOD

Because of His inherent goodness, God provided for all of man's needs in creation.

In spite of man's sin and unthankfulness, God still shows His goodness toward us.

Psalm 34:8 ;107:8,15,21,32; 119:68; Isaiah 63:7. Acts 14:15-17.

LOVING

He gives all He can to those whom He loves. He has initiated a relationship with His

creatures. They must, therefore, respond positively or negatively. Deuteronomy 4:37;

John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; 4:8,16; Rom. 5:5.

OMNISCIENT

This means that God has total knowledge of all things actual and possible for all times

and in all locations, including the "what ifs." 1 Samuel 16:7, Psa. 139:2,5; Matthew 6:8;

11:21-23; Hebrews 4:13. I John 3:20

OMNIPRESENT

God is completely present at every point in space. Though He is infinite, He is here now.

There is no need to "practice the presence of God" as though one has to imagine He is

here -- He is here! 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 16:8; 139:7-12; Prov. 15:3; Jeremiah 23:23;

Matt. 19:26; Acts 17:27-28.

OMNIPOTENT

This means that God can do anything compatible with His character. He never exhausts

His energy and therefore never needs sustenance from outside Himself, as every creature

does. Psalm 62:11; 136; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Ephesians 3:20; Revelation 19:6.

IMMUTABLE

God's character is forever perfectly stable. This stability, however, is personal, not some

eternally static structure of the Greek philosophers. His promises to us are backed up

with His eternally stable character. Truth can exist because He never changes.

Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:17-18; 13:8; James 1:17.

ETERNAL

God has always existed. God has viewed this present moment for all eternity. He is

never "hurried" through rapid events in history and can see the overview of all history at

once. Genesis 1:1; cf. John 1:1; Isaiah 43:10; Psalm 90:2; John 8:55-58; I Timothy 1:17.

WISDOM

This refers to the wisdom of God. Wisdom differs from knowledge; "Knowledge is what is

known, wisdom is the discerning, intelligent application and perfect display of knowledge

in plan and purpose." Psa. 104:24; Proverbs 3:19; 8:22-31; Romans 11:33; 16:27.

VERACITY

God, who cannot lie, is absolutely truthful. He will never deviate from His truth. He is who

He says He is. Jesus Christ, who is God, is incarnate truth (John 14:6). Numbers 23:19;

Psalm 117:2; 146:6; Titus 1:2.

Other attributes: Infinitude, Immensity, Grace, Mercy, Perfection, Wrathful, Self-Existent, etc. (Excellent book: The Attributes of God, A. W. Tozer) “The infinity of God means that He, not the created cosmos, is the ultimate reference point; He alone is absolutely free and independent; all else is free only within His creation, design, and sovereign plan, and is totally dependent upon Him (the Creator-creature distinction - an extremely important point concerning today’s New Age philosophy and paganism). There is no need for any "extra gods" to take care of some unexplained residue.”

Charles Clough, B.S. in Math, MIT; M.S. Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M; Th.M., DTS.

(Some information added by Fred Willson)

C. Clough http://www.bibleframework.com/site/home/)

Attributes of God-Applied to Life

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 03:11:29 +0100

This is a method of how to apply the attributes of God to a pressure situation that you may be facing that for the moment may seem overwhelming.

How to Look at Your Present Situation--In Relation to God’s Attributes

Here is an example of how to apply God’s attributes to any situation you may have to face in your life time as a Christian. If you have not looked at the list of God’s attributes, you will find it helpful to study them before studying this approach (Attributes of God).

When I am placed in a difficult situation this is how I handle it. By difficult I am referring to those times when the pressure of a situation is often so great that you have a hard time of even claiming a promise from God’s word. In fact the pressure may be so great that you cannot even think of a promise. It is in these times that I often go through a list of God’s attributes. When I get to the end of the list I often have a peace that passes understanding. Why? Because I finally see the problem or situation from His perspective, not mine. It is a pattern of thinking. The pattern will vary to some degree for each person. But this gives you an idea of how to think when facing great pressure. You talk to yourself through the attributes of God. Give it a try and see what effect it has on your thinking.

SOVEREIGN

Since God is in absolute control of all of history, He has allowed this difficulty to occur in my life.

GOOD

Because He is good, what is happening to me is good since He cannot allow anything to come into my life that is not good.

LOVE

Because He loves me He is doing for me and for His glory that which is best for me. Being perfect in love He can only do that which comes from His loving nature. He has established a personal loving relationship with me. Having died on the Cross for my sins - when in me there was no value or worth for His doing it - then it is now easy for Him to love me for “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

RIGHTEOUS

It is right for Him to let this situation come into my life since He can not do anything that is wrong.

JUST

He is being totally fair in the allowing this thing to come into my life. He promised to never test me above what I am able to handle (I Corinthians 10:13).

HOLY

Since He is holy He will not permit anything contrary to His perfect character to keep me from being in the center of His will for He has set me apart to be of service and honor to Him.

OMNISCIENT

He knows absolutely everything there is to know about my situation. There is no unknown fact about the situation I am in that He is not knowledgeable about. He cannot be caught off guard by some unknown factor of which He is not aware.

WISE

Being omniscient He knows how to make every bit of knowledge work together in infinite ways so that His purpose for this situation will work out perfectly as He has planned. If necessary He may have to spank me in this situation so that I will obey what is best for me.

OMNIPRESENT

Since He is present at every point in space He is here with me “now” and knows all of the conditions that I am facing.

OMNIPOTENT

Since He is the source of all power He can change my situation or relationship “now.” He is in absolute control of all the innumerable factors, even of my personal desires, so that nothing can happen that He does not want to happen and that He cannot change instantly.

IMMUTABLE

Every promise He has ever made He will keep. He has the power to keep them. And since He has promised to supply for my every need He will do it – even now. Being immutable, He cannot fail to keep His promises.

MERCIFUL

Even if I fail Him, because of the Cross and His having taken on a human nature like mine and becoming my peer, He therefore understands my infirmities and therefore invites me to come to His throne of grace where I can receive grace and mercy about my situation (Hebrews 4:16)

LONGSUFFERING

As our creator He knows our weaknesses and proneness to wander and suffers through them until we learn His ways, whether the hard or easy way, but we will learn them. I am so thankful that He is patient with me rather than exercising judgment which so often I deserve.

ACCOMMODATING

If Christ Jesus, who is God, by condescending to become a human and suffer through the kind of life I live on this sin-filed earth, and was willing to accommodate Himself to such a low sinful state as mine and suffer a horrible death on the cross for my sins, then I should accommodate to the situation I am in, not complain, and see what He would have me learn in it (James 1:2-4).

ETERNAL

God, being eternal, and knowing all there is to know about history - past, present, and future - including mine, knew in eternity past that I would be in this situation and its conditions. He knew what would happen but has provided everything I need to endure in this situation.

JEALOUS

God is jealous for what His name means (the meaning of all of the attributes listed in this paper and others not listed) and will not allow anything to be exalted in its place. He expects me in this situation to exalt and honor His right to do with me as He pleases. He will not allow me to expect Him to condescend to my wishes and desires that are contrary to His will and word. He is sovereign and holy and I am to give Him all respect, honor, and obedience. I tremble and stand in awe that He is even willing to consider who and what I am and that He even looks upon me, and this in grace and mercy rather than the judgment that I really deserve. If I have “a poor and of a contrite spirit, and tremble at His word” (Isaiah 66:2) in this situation He will look upon me with great favor for He is gracious.

WRATHFUL

Because God is holy, righteous, and just, He cannot and will not tolerate sin in my life. At times He has been patient with my disobedience but there have been those times in which He exercised His wrath against my sin by spanking me so that I will know that He is God and that He is holy and just, and will not tolerate sin in me. He wants me to be happy and knows that sin ruins all potential for happiness.

FAITHFUL

God is faithful to keep His word. He cannot be otherwise. He never acts contrary to what His word says nor will He ever.

VERACITY

I know that true truth exists because God cannot lie. Therefore for me to question what His word says and means is to make me a liar. I cannot expect Him to compromise based on what I might want or like. He said “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.” I will have to pay the wages for my sin because He cannot lie. But He can also forgive me of my sins when I confess them and turn to Him from them. These two truths are like two sides of a coin. On one side is sin and death, on the other forgiveness and eternal life. I can choose which side I want to live on. These things are true because God cannot lie.

INCOMPREHENSIBLE

Since I am finite I will never be able to fully understand why He has allowed this situation to happen to me. My first duty is to accept the responsibility and consequences for the choices that have got me into this situation. At the same time I am to rest in the sovereignty and goodness of God in this situation and not try to depend upon my own understanding of it. Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and do not lean upon your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6)

INFINITE

I am finite, always limited in my ability to think and understand what is really going on. Therefore I will just trust Him according to all of His attributes and how each one relates to me in this situation. By thinking this way I hope that I can develop the attitude of the Apostle Paul who “learned that whatsoever state he was in to be content” (Philippians 4:9). I will therefore endeavor in this situation to do the same and learn as he did and praise the Lord for what He is doing and teaching me.

I AM

God as the great ‘I AM’ exists without being dependent upon anything outside of Himself. I am a dependent being. I am limited not only physically, but mentally, socially, and spiritually. I must depend upon Him for everything. And so I pray, Dear Father in heaven, help me so that in whatever situation I am in, to learn to know You better in it, and to praise and give you thanks for it, and how to know what I should do about it, according to all of your attributes. Amen.

In any situation following is a great promise to hold on. This promise is then followed by how to think Biblically about it. However if you have a small view of God you may find it difficult to believe this promise. This is why the knowing of God according to many of His attributes greatly convinces you that it is true!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9.

Because of The Cross,

Fred Willson

Attributes of God

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:19:56 +0100

This paper names and gives short descriptions of many of the attributes of God and Bible verses associated with each attribute. It is my desire that each person who receives this list would take a year to study them including all of the verses associated with each one.

The God of the Bible, and our God, is…

SOVEREIGN

God personally wills the kind of history and creation that comes to pass; chance is excluded, for He is the ultimate cause of all things. His absolute authority is the formal object of our obedience. Rev. 4:11; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 46:9-11; Romans 11:34-36; Psalm 47:7.

“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Daniel 4:35.

GOOD

Because of His inherent goodness, God provided for all of man's needs in creation. In spite of man's sin and unthankfulness, God still shows His goodness toward us. Psalm 34:8; 107:8,15,21,32; 119:68; Isaiah 63:7. Acts 14:15-17.

WISE

This refers to the wisdom of God. Wisdom differs from knowledge; "Knowledge is what is known, wisdom is the discerning, intelligent application and perfect display of knowledge in plan and purpose." Psa. 104:24; Proverbs 3:19; 8:22-31; Romans 11:33; 16:27.

RIGHTEOUS

His moral character is the standard in all the cosmos for what is right and wrong. Exodus 9:27; Jeremiah 9:24, 12:1; Deut. 32:4; Revelation 16:5-7.

JUST
This refers to His uncompromising attitude of judgment upon evil, regardless of who might be involved. Gen. 18:25; Romans 2:11; Rev. 16:5-7.

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4.

HOLY

Perfectly pure; immaculate, moral character; separated to the service of God. Ex. 15:11 & Jer. 2:3; Heb. 7:26; Proverbs 9:10; Habakkuk 1:12,13

“For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:45.

OMNISCIENT

This means that God has total knowledge of all things actual and possible for all times and in all locations, including the "what ifs." 1 Samuel 16:7, Psa. 139:2,5; Matthew 6:8; 11:21-23; Hebrews 4:13. I John 3:20

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” Psalm 139:1, 2.

OMNIPRESENT

God is completely present at every point in space. Though He is infinite, He is here now. There is no need to "practice the presence of God" as though one has to imagine He is here -- He is here! 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 16:8; 139:7-12; Prov. 15:3; Jeremiah 23:23; Matt. 19:26; Acts 17:27-28.

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Psalm 139:7.

OMNIPOTENT

This means that God can do anything compatible with His character. He never exhausts His energy and therefore never needs sustenance from outside Himself, as every creature does. Psalm 62:11; 136; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Ephesians 3:20; Revelation 19:6.

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27.

IMMUTABLE, UNCHANGING,

God's character is forever perfectly stable. This stability, however, is personal, not some eternally static structure of the Greek philosophers. His promises to us are backed up with His eternally stable character. Truth can exist because He never changes. Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:17-18; 13:8; James 1:17.

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6.

MERCIFUL

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” Joel 2:12, 13.

LONGSUFFERING

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:16.

LOVE

He gives all He can to those whom He loves. He has initiated a relationship with His creatures. They must, therefore, respond positively or negatively. Deuteronomy 4:37; John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; 4:8,16; Rom. 5:5.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10.

Accommodating

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” II Corinthians 8:9.

ETERNAL

“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:1, 2.

JEALOUS

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14.

Wrathful

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18.

FAITHFUL

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9.

VERACITY

God, who cannot lie, is absolutely truthful. He will never deviate from His truth. He is who He says He is. Jesus Christ, who is God, is incarnate truth (John 14:6). Numbers 23:19; Psalm 117:2; 146:6; Titus 1:2.

INCOMPREHENSIBLE

Man, being finite, will never be able to fully comprehend and understand God's ways or thoughts. Job 37:5,23; Isaiah 55:8,9; Romans 11:33; Deut. 29:29; Job 38- 40.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9.

INFINITE

The infinity of God means that He, not the created cosmos, is the ultimate reference point; He alone is absolutely free and independent; all else is free only within His creation, design, and sovereign plan, and is totally dependent upon Him (the Creator-creature distinction - an extremely important point concerning today’s New Age philosophy and paganism). There is no need for any "extra gods" to take care of some unexplained residue.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?” I Kings 8:27.

I AM

God is self-existent and needs nothing outside of Himself to sustain Himself (closely fits description of being “infinite”).

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:14

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The descriptions of attributes where given were composed primarily by Charles Clough, http://www.bibleframework.com/site/home/) BS, MIT; Th.M, DTS; MS. Texas Tech.

Along with Bobby Ballinger we took the liberty to add a few attributes and modify some of the descriptions. Other attributes: Self-Existent, Immensity, Grace, Mercy, Perfection, etc. (Excellent book: The Attributes of God, A. W. Tozer)

The Necessity for Holding to a Literal View of Strict Creationism

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:15:07 +0100

The necessity for holding to a literal view of strict creationism

1. Its effect upon the words of Jesus Christ and all the writers of the New Testament

In the New Testament Jesus Christ quoted from the following chapters in the book of Genesis (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,17,18,19,28,31). All New Testament writers quoted from the first five chapters of Genesis. Over half of the minimum of 200 OT quotes in the NT are from the first 11 eleven chapters of Genesis. Therefore if Genesis is not true literally, scientifically, historically, and spiritually then the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and the writers of the New Testament cannot be taken as being true. This also means that the New Testament cannot be treated as being literally true.

In addition although the Bible is not a textbook on science, yet when it speaks about science it is the most trustworthy book in the world for true science has now (or will in time) always prove it to be absolutely true (see back side of this paper). This viewpoint also adds credibility to the fact that the author of the Bible can also be trusted to speak truly whenever He speaks about heavenly and spiritual things (John 3:12).

2. It is the foundational basis for belief in the major doctrines of scripture.

Everything that the church believes and teaches is founded on the doctrine of creation. The meaning of anything is bound up in its origin. If you don’t understand how something began, you cannot fully understand it value and purpose. And if you cannot defend a doctrine’s foundation from the beginning, you will ultimately fail to defend it properly and consistently and it will degenerate into just your opinion. For the church to speak with authority, it needs to build from its foundation. Consider a few of the important Bible doctrines, subjects all considered vital topics for the church, which originate in Genesis:

Marriage and family: Genesis 2:24
Human sexuality: Genesis 1:27-28
False religion: Genesis 3:5
Sin and judgment: Genesis 3:6-19
Salvation: Genesis 3:15
Law and government: Genesis 9:6
Work and purpose in life: Genesis 2:15; 3:18-19, 23
Arts and sciences: Genesis 4:20-22
Eternal destiny: Genesis 3:24, 12:1-3

3. Failure to trust in the doctrine of creation results in individuals and a culture in trusting in political action to change cultural problems rather than first trusting in the word of God and prayer.

Thinking Christian theologian Rousas Rushdoony said the following:

“Every doctrine of Scripture is undermined when strict creationism is undermined. Wherever strict creationism is set aside, the vital nerve of Christianity is cut, and the church begins to move in terms of humanistic and political power rather than the power of God.”

Have you noticed how many Christians today are looking for relief from a deteriorating culture to the government? Why? Re-read the previous quote again.

Prophecy and the Jews: A Line of Evidence that the Bible is True / The Law of Probability, ...

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:33:19 +0100

Prophecy and the Jews:

A line of evidence that the Bible is true.

Mark Twain in 1899 asked the following question about the Jews:

If the statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one quarter of one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk.

His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine and abstruse learning are also way out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.... The Egyptian, the Babylonians, and the Persians rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they were gone; ... The Jew saw them all, survived them all, and is now what he always was.... All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?

What is the secret of his immortality?

Probably one of the most compelling evidences that the Bible is true is the specific fulfillment of prophetic events that were written over two thousand years ago regarding the Jewish nation. This is proof that the Bible is not of human origin. Listed here are seven such prophetic events that have been or are now being fulfilled and these within the last sixty years!

1) Re-gathering - The Jews would be re-gathered in Palestine from all over the earth (see Isaiah 11:11-12 and Ezekiel 36:22-28).

2) Nationhood - The prophets stated that when the people were re-gathered, the nation of Israel would be re-established. This occurred on May 14, 1948 (see Isaiah 66:7-8; Zechariah 12:3-6).

3) Reclamation - God promised that with the re-establishment of the nation, the land would bloom again (Isaiah 35:1-7; Joel 2:21-26). This has occurred.

4) Language - The prophet Zephaniah implied a time would come when the Hebrew language would be revived (Zephaniah 3:9). This seemingly impossible event has occurred.

5) Jerusalem - Jesus said that one of the surest signs of His Imminent return would be the reoccupation of Jerusalem by the Jews (Luke 21:24). This occurred in 1967.

6) Military Strength - Zechariah prophesied that when the Jews were re-established in the land, their military strength would be overwhelming - like "a flaming torch among sheaves" - and that they would "consume" all the peoples around them (Zechariah 12:6). Israel has the third strongest military in the world.

7) Focal Point - Israel is always pictured as the focal point of world politics in the end times (Zechariah 12:3; 14:1-9). This is certainly true today.

Please thoughtfully consider the truthfulness of the fulfillment of these events in the lifetime of many alive today, of things written over two thousand years ago. The secret of the Jew’s immortality is that God’s purpose for them will be fulfilled (Genesis 12:1-3)

For more detailed information about these seven events please contact me through my e-mail address: siloam144@yahoo.com

The Law of Probability, Biblical Prophecies,

and the Reality of their becoming fulfilled

What is the chance that such prophetic predictions could happen by chance? Let us consider the probability of just eight happening by chance.

“Someone did the math and figured out that the probability of just eight prophecies being fulfilled is one chance in one hundred million billion. That number is millions of times greater than the total number of people who've ever walked the planet!

"He calculated that if you took this number of silver dollars, they would cover the state of Texas to a depth of two feet. If you marked one silver dollar among them and then had a blindfolded person wander the whole state and bend down to pick up one coin, what would be the odds he'd choose the one that had been marked?"

With that he answered his own question: "The same odds that anybody in history could have fulfilled just eight of the prophecies." [1]

Theorists believe that any number above 10 to the 50th power will never happen. The fact that the seven examples of predicted events have recently been fulfilled (or are in the process of being fulfilled) in the last sixty years is much greater than this number. It would be analogous to expecting a great golfer to hit seven straight holes-in-one on a par three golf course. Such things just do not happen. Yet these things have happened. How could these events be coming true in your lifetime unless the God of the Bible who wrote these prophecies is actually in control of history? It means that all of the things the Bible says about the Jews in their future and also concerning you will be literally fulfilled.

There are many more prophecies that are now being set in place to be fulfilled that were written over two-three thousand years ago. All of these things are observable historical proof that the Bible is not just a book of interesting knowledge but the book of true truth about God, nature, you, and history. This also means that all the words of God in the Bible can be fully trusted including what it says about science, heaven, judgment, hell, eternal life, history, salvation, etc.

I have some pages on the future judgments described in the Bible that if you would like to see them I will e-mail them to you (siloam144@yahoo.com).

Sources:

[1] Strobel Lee. The Case of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998, p.173.
Source of quote: http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_studies/jesus/gods_signature.html